New measures being considered by the government include tougher English language requirements, a revised ‘values test’, and extending the required period of permanent residency.
Director of the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia, Emma Campbell, has told a Senate inquiry many believe the measures would have a negative impact.
“They feel that changes to the Citizenship Act will negate their years of contribution, and place in jeopardy the opportunities of newly-arrived migrants who, [through] no fault of their own, will not be provided the same equality of opportunity,” she said.
“The level of fear and distress in cultural and linguistic communities in Australia is extraordinary and unprecedented.”
The questions put to the panels included whether the changes would compromise Australia's multicultural landscape, or if they would deter more people from coming to Australia.
While none agreed with those sentiments, most argued the measures go against the fundamental purpose of citizenship: social inclusion, and acceptance.
The immigration minister would also be given more powers under the proposed changes, including the ability to overrule decisions by the administrative appeals tribunal.
Human rights lawyer and executive director of Refugee Legal, David Manne, said: “It's likely to result in inconsistent, unpredictable and arbitrary decisions made on a personal whim, rather than established principals under law that are known ascertainable.”
There's also concern the changes could restrict migrants to more unstable lower-paid work, creating a permanent subclass of Australians.
Sam Wong, from the Federation of Chinese Associations of ACT, says the changes to the English language tests citizens could put off some people from coming to Australia and deepen divisions.
"You will have two classes of people - one who can speak English really well, who will become Australian citizens, and the lesser one - they're not part of Australia as wholeheartedly as another Australian. The country used to be wonderfully united, all working together as one country. Now, [it would be] divided: ones who speak good English and those who don't."
The CEO of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture, Paris Aristotle, told SBS World News: “My father could read English newspapers, read Greek newspapers, could speak English, could speak Greek... he never would have passed the written test, and therefore he would never have become a citizen of this country.”
Extending the waiting period for permanent residents to become citizens is also proving controversial.
The government maintains the changes would help improve national security, but author Peter Mares told SBS World News: “I fear if it's passed in its current form in making citizenship more restrictive, it will likely undermine social cohesion, increase alienation and disaffection and those things can be a breeding ground for extremist violence.”
More than 50,000 people have applied for citizenship since the government proposed changes to citizenship laws, and if the legislation is passed, they will be among the first to experience the new regime.
The inquiry will report on the changes early next month.
